Apparatus for facilitating reading.



I. KAUFMANN. APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING READING.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 29, I913- Llfi fi n Patent-ed Ja11.,25, 1916.

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APPLICATION FILED DEC. 29, I913.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

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APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING READING. APIPLICATION FILED DEC. 29, I913.

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IGNACZ KAU FMANN, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING READING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

Application filed December 29, 1913. Serial No. 809,a10.

2T 0 all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, IoNAcz KAUFMANN, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residin at 137 Westbourne Terrace, Hvde Park, iondon, VV., England, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Apparatus for Facilitating Reading, of which the following is a specificatlOIl. a.

This invention relates to apparatus for facilitating reading and has for its object to devise a simple, efiicient, and readily ma-' -n1pulated 'device which shall be particularly useful for persons of weak sight or for such as require to read by theaid of a magnifylng lens or reading glass.

the liketo be read, such that the latter may be temporarily held in any position but in such a manner as to be readily capable of movement so that different portions of same may be brought into the field of a magnifying glass, lens or the like.

The invention still further comprises other details and arrangements hereinafter acre particularly referred to.

The accompanying drawings illustrate various modes of carrying out the invention.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show one form of device in front and side elevation and part sectional elevation respectively, Fig. 3 bein on a. slightly enlarged scale. Figs. 4 to 10 illustrate details of the form of construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 11 illustrates in front elevation a modified form of construction. Fig. 12 illustrates the device according to Fig. 11 in side elevation. Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate in side and front elevation at modification of a detail in the device according to Figs. 11 and 12. Fig. 15 illustrates a still further modified form of construction according to the invention. Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 15 partly in section.

In carrying my invention into edect 111 one convenient manner as illustrated in Figs.

1 to 10, the device comprises a pair of bars or strips 1 and 2 between which the matter to be read 1s adapted to be held, the bar 1 being connected with a handle or holder 3 While the bar 2 is hingedly connected to the bar 1 1n such a manner that the strips or bars may be separated for the insertion of the matter to be read by pressing upon the free end 4 of the bar 2 against the action of a sprlng 5. One of the bars or strips may be provided with a layer of vulcanized wood to facilitate the holding of the paper or the hke to be read while allowing the same to be readily adjusted in position in the holder, 9. layer 1' being shown in the drawings as applied to the bar 1.

For the purpose of more readily supporting the paper or the like in the device, I

prefer to provide a further bar or strip 7 rotatably connected to the bar 2 by means of a pin 6, such that its angular position relatively to the bar 2 may be readily adjusted. The holder for the literature to be read also forms a handle for the lorgnette or other reading lens or the like, and in order to provide for the necessary adjustment of the reading glass it is slidably mounted upon rod 9 connected at one end to a slide 10 mounted upon the bar or strip 1.

For the purpose of retaining slide 10 in any desired position relative to the bar or strip 1 upon which it is mounted the slide is fitted with a spring, the arrangement being such that the slide can at all times be readily moved but will remain in any position on which it is set. In the form of construction illustrated the rod 9 consists of two parts which are telescopically arranged in respect to one another so that the glass may be moved in one direction relatively to the literature to be read while for the purpose of altering the distance of the glass 8 from the literature the rod 9 is pivotallv mounted upon the bracket 12.

The rod 9 may be secured in any desired angular position relatively to the bracket 12 by means of an adjusting screw 43 which passes through one arm of the forked end of the rod 9 and bears against one of the flanges of the bracket 12. The solid and tubular parts of the desired position relatively to one another by means of the adjusting screw 44, while upon the rod 9 is arranged a carrier 13 for the reading glass or the like adapted to be secured in any required position upon the member 9 may be secured in any member by means of an adjusting screw 14. In addition to the above adjustments it may be required to adjust the glass angularlyin respect to the apparatus, and for this purpose I arrange the glass pivotally upon'the carrier 13 by means of a pin 21, an adjusting screw 17 being provided for holding the glass in any required position. If desired the angular position of the device as a whole relatively to the handle 3 may be varied in any suitable manner as, for example, by means of a pin 18 secured to the handle and rotatably mounted in the end of the bar or strip 1, the handle being guided in its movement by means of a pin 19 engaging a slotted guide provided in the bar or strip 1. I

In some cases with such adevice it may be necessary to make the glass 8 adjustable in such a manner that the lenses lie with their longitudinal axes parallel to the longitudinal axes of the strips or bars 1 and 2,-

and for this purpose I make the carrier 13 in two parts connected together by means of a rod or axle 21. In order to turn the axle 21 the part of the carrier 13 supporting the glass is turned from the position shown in Fig. 1 to a right angle, this part being secured in any suitable position by means of a screw. In order to hold the rod 9 in the position in which it lies parallel with the bar 1, a slide 22 on the upper part of the bar 1 is provided with an aperture 23 adapted to engage the upper end of the rod 9 when in the parallel position referred to.

For those persons who require for reading, glasses which are different from those used in the street, the apparatus may be provided with a number of various kinds of glasses.

In order to render the device of a portable nature for convenience in carrying in the pocket, it is preferred toform the bar or strip 1 in two or more parts adapted to be hinged together as at that the parts of the bar may be folded together While the bars 2 and 7 may as above described be formed telescopically so that their overall length may be reduced as desired.

Any convenient means may be provided for maintaining the bar 1 in its extended positionas, for example, a U-shaped slide Fig. 5 adapted to grip the guide 26 on the slide 10 provided upon the bar 1, the slide 25 in its upper position gripping with its free ends a part of the bar 1 and thereby holding the latter in its extended position.

When the device is to be reduced in size for purposes of transit, the upper part of the bars 2 and 7 and of the rod 9 are pushed down over the lower ends of the fiat bars 2 and 7 and the rod 9 whereupon the slide 25 is also moved downward so that the free ends of the same release the upper part of the bar 1' so that the latter may be folded 24 (Figs. 4 and 6) so toothed pini about the hingei24, the downward movement of the slide 25 being limited by the pro ectic-n46 arranged upon the bar 1 over the spring 5.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a modified form of the invention comprising a wire frame consisting of two parts of which one is connected with the bar or strip While the other is connected with the bar or strip 2. The first part of the frame consists of wires or the like 27, 28 and 29 hingedly connected together, the wire or .the like 29 being removably connected to the bar or strip 1 in any suitable manner. The second part of the frame consists of the wires or the like 30, 31, 32 and 33 of which 33 are pivotally connected to the bar 2 while the wire 32 is arranged upon the Wire 29 of the first part of the frame. In one convenient construction thewire 29 is hingedly connected at 47 with the Wire 32 of the other part of the frame,-the free end of the wire being inserted into a sleeve mounted in or on the bar 1 and from which the wire may be readily withdrawn when required.

The separation of the two parts of the device for the purpose of inserting the newspaper to be read may be effected by pressing upon the part of the bar 1 which forms an extension beyond the fulcrum 35, this handie-like portion 36 being continually under the action of a spring 37 so that normally the two parts of the frame are pressed together one or both of the bars being preferably provided with a layer of vulcanized wood for the purpose above indicated. A

'rod or like member 9 similar to that described with reference to the foregoing modificatlon and arranged in a slmllar' manner is provided for carrying the reading glass or like device.

The connection between the bars or strips 1 and 2 may be effected in any suitable or desired manner; for example, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14 the connection may be effected by means of a wire or like loop 38 secured to the bar 1 and to which is connected at 40 a second loop 39. A further loop 42 is also connected to loop 38 as shown at 41 and is so arranged and positioned that it may be moved over loop 39 so that the two bars 1 and 2 are by such an arrangement held firmly together. r

It will'be understood that in any modification according to the invention means for artificially illuminating the object to be read may be combined with the device adapted to support such article.

the wires 30 and The movement of the slide 10 upon the ner shown in Figs. 15 and 16. On the slide 10 is arranged a rack 70 with which a toothed pinion suitably mounted at the lower end of the flat bar engages, and on rotation of the j n by means of the milled hand hinges near the center mamas 72 or otherwise, the rack 70 and with it the slide 10 may be moved backward and forward as desired. In order not to impede the movement of the rack 7 0 the handle 3 is provided with an opening 3 the section of which corresponds with that of the rack 7 0 and through which the rack is adapted to pass on its downward movement.

It is often desirable to arrange one of the herein described devices on a pedestal or stand or on a handle of a walking or umbrella stick or other device, and any suitable means may be adopted for this purpose.

The drawings illustrate the downwardly extending handle which may be used for con nection with a stick but such handle may be dispensed with when carried on a stand and the gripping members serving to secure the reading matter are preferably connected together by spring thereof instead of in the lower part of same. It will be noted that in the various modifications of my invention it is immaterial which member the reading glass or the like is secured to, and which carries the article to be read. i

It is to be understood that my invention is not to be confined to the details of construction hereinbefore given by way of example, as numerous modifications may be introduced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and I may employ any suitable material in the construction of the various parts of the device.

By this invention it will be seen that a very convenient device is produced in which the reading glass, lorgnette or'the like and the object to be read are movable relatively to one another, while the whole device may be folded into a very compact form, and it will be clear that the connection between the reading glass or lorgnette and the apparatus may be of any suitable character in addition to that described.

Further the device may be combined with or connected to any ordinary eye-glass, lorthe device is not to be I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A portable device for facilitating reading comprising a support adapted to hold a paper or other matter to be read and permit the said matter to be moved relative thereto, an arm pivoted to the support, a lens pivoted to the arm and adapted to swing substantially in its plane, and a second pivot supporting the lens permitting the lens to rotate substantially upon its major axis.

2. A portable device for facilitatingreading comprising a handle formed in two parts between which the matter to be read may be inserted, means for separatingv said parts, a lorgnette, eye-glass, or the like and a support therefor hingedly secured to one of said members.

3. A portable device for facilitating reading comprising a handle formed in two parts hingedly secured to'one another, a spring for normally holding said parts together, means for separating said parts for the purpose of inserting between them the matter, to be viewed, a lorgnette, eye-glass, or the like, and a support therefor hingedly secured to one of said members.

4. A portable device for facilitating reading comprising a handle consisting of two members hingedly secured together, means for separating said members for the purpose of inserting between them the matter to be viewed, a support hingedly secured to one of said members and a lorgnette, eye-glass, or the like, pivotally connected to said sup- Y ort.

p In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in. the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

IGNACZ KAUFMANN.

Witnesses CARL GUBLER, AUGUST Rome. 

